World Toilet Day: We Give A Shit

Upon first coming across the idea that there is a day dedicated to toilets, two emotions tend to first come to mind; humour and disgust. However, upon a closer assessment of the ideals upon which the day was established and adopted by the United Nations, the idea of a day to advocate for better access to good toilets might not be a bad idea afterall.

In 2015, it was estimated that about 2.4 billion (about 1 out of 3 people) lack access to improved sanitation facilities, and under 1 billion people continue to defecate openly. And about 58% of all cases of diarrhea are caused from unsafe water and poor sanitation and hygiene (which includes poor handwashing behaviors). This means that in 2013, more than 340,000 children under 5 died from water, sanitation and hygiene related diarrhea – i.e. nearly 1,000 child deaths a day. Having to defecate in the open also infringes on human safety and dignity. 

Locally, members of the Obafemi Awolowo University Community would agree that the access to good toilets in the University are sub-optimal. Toilets in the Halls of Residence are grossly misused by students and under-maintained by the appropriate authorities. However, things seem to be improving with the new management of the University but the poor use of the toilets from the students end persist. The scenario is even worse in the academic environment of the University: Apart from the College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy and a few others, other faculty and departmental toilets are almost always locked. The theme of this year’s World Toilet Day is "toilets and jobs". And in observation of the worldwide advocacy, OAU Peeps News Agency, with the support of some other organizations would be assessing the toilet conditions on campus and advocating for an improved access and use of toilets, especially in the academic area of the university. You can join the discussion on any of our social media platforms;

Twitter and Instagram- @oaupeeps

Facebook- OAU Peeps

#OAUpeeps #WorldToiletDay #ToiletsAndJobs

Ojelabi Jesujoba

Editor-In-Chief

OAU Peeps News Agency

OAU Lecturers Divided Over ASUU Strike, Faction Boycotts

By Channels Television



As the 7-day warning strike declared by the national body of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) enters its second day, a faction of the lecturers at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun state have boycotted the nationwide strike.

Channels Television’s visit to the university revealed that students are currently having their first semester examination for the 2015/16 academics session under the supervision of the lecturers.

Speaking on the strike and their reason for not joining, the chairman of the Committee of Deans in OAU, Professor Adeagbo Amusan, said that the boycott was in the interest of the students, who had wasted so much time since the start of the session due to incessant strike.

“It’s a unanimous decision that much as we are aware of the directive of NEC, we would want our examinations to go on unhindered. We key into the national body of ASUU but we have some local issues to sort out here and we don’t want to externalize our internal affairs.

“We agreed on compassionate level having lost a lot of ground that we need to consider the plight of our students. Because we ought to have had this exams this time last year,” he said.

However, a factional chairman of ASUU, OAU chapter, Niyi Sunmonu claimed that the directive to embark on a warning strike was not communicated to his committee.

“The directive from the national ASUU was not directed to us, but as faithful ASUU members we still considered it at our congress. And the decision of the congress was that since we were not communicated officially, the referendum to go on strike or not was not before us”.

It was an entirely different position, when Channels TV spoke with another factional chairman of ASUU in the school, Dr Caleb Aborisade.

He said members were in compliance with the directive of the NEC, which he said is to fight for the good of Nigerian universities and the welfare of students.

“The greatest offence anybody can commit in ASUU is to break a strike which some people have decided to do.

“We resolved at our congress that we will not disturb anybody from holding exams, they go by their own conscience, and it’s by choice. For example, my own exams, there is no way it can be done, because I’m on strike,” he maintained.

In his reaction, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju maintained that the school did not comply with the directive because of the adverse effect it would have on its students and their academics.

“We are very much aware of the fact that ASUU has directed its members to go on strike, but in every situation there is always an exception. Ours is an exception because we have lost a lot of ground and we must recover it.

“Most of our colleagues in other universities are in their own second semester and we are at first semester. So, an overwhelming number of lecturers have agreed not to join the strike, because our students are writing their examinations and we want then to finish”.

Convocation: OAU Begins Online Registration For Graduands

Graduating students of the 2014/2015 academic session can now proceed to complete an online ‘Graduate form’ which will enable them receive their certificate and participate in the forthcoming convocation events, OAU Peeps News Agency can report.

The concerned graduates are to required to log in via http://eportal.oauife.edu.ng/gradLogin.php with their matriculation number after which they will be able to fill the graduate form, make payments and print receipt.

Instructions after you successfully login
1. Click Fill Graduate Form at the top left corner to Complete the Online Convocation Form
2. ENSURE YOU PROVIDE CORRECT DATA TO TITLE, GENDER, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS
3. Click Payment to Generate RRR Slip For Payment Through Remita
4. Print 5 Copies of the Receipt
5. Submit the Receipt to Faculty, Bursary, Internal Audit and DAA Office (Exam and Records) for collection of Certificate
6. Contact Director, Academic Affairs for any complaint or wrong information on profile
7. All Graduating Students must complete this online Registration on or before Friday, 2nd December, 2016.

The total fee for the convocation is N15,000 plus a N350 ‘service charge’.

Admission Cut-off Marks Into OAU Pre-degree Programme For 2016/2017 Session

CUT-OFF marks for Pre-degree Entrance Exam (2016/2017 Session)

BCP – 40%,
CMP – 40%,
EGL – 40%,
EGM – 40%,
GLR – 40%,
GMP – 40%,
MGE – 40%

Application For 2016/2017 OAU Predegree Programme Still Ongoing & Makeup Entrance Exam Holds November 24

The Centre for Distance Learning, Obafemi Awolowo University has announced that the Makeup Exam Into Pre-Degree Programme (2016/2017 Session) will hold on Thursday, 24th November, 2016 at Centre for Distance Learning, O.A.U, Moro Campus, Moro by 11:00 A.M. In the meantime, application for the programme is still ongoing.

Goodluck!

OAU Reminds Students Of Their Matriculation Oath, Warns Against Physical Abuse

Credit: UI

The Division of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Obafemi Awolowo University has warned students of the institution to desist from any form of physical abuse, even as self-help mechanism.

In a statement signed by the acting Dean of the DSA, Mrs Akinola, “The Division of Students’ Affairs hereby reminds all students of their Matriculation Oath to, among others, refrain at all costs from any physical attack or abuse of any person on campus. The University will enforce this particular oath strictly without any reservation.”

“Please note that physical abuse is prohibited on campus and there should be no recourse to self-help. Henceforth, if a case of physical abuse including beating, slapping, or any form of assault or violent attack done by any student to another is established, there will be instant disciplinary action, according to the oath of matriculation.

“To this end, all students are enjoined to comply with their matriculation oath at all times and to desist from taking the law into their hands,” the statement further read.

The statement may not be unconnected to the recent ‘fight for all’ which happened in Awolowo Hall of residence some days ago. Some students threw caution to the wind as a reported rape case was been moderated by some other students.

OAU CDL Announces Resumption Of 2016/2017 Academic Session

The Centre for Distance Learning, Obafemi Awolowo University has announced the 6th of December, 2016 as the set date for the resumption of 2016/2017 academic session for pre-degree students. Screening of the fresh students and their registration are billed to commence the same day of resumption.

Below is the registration schedule for newly admitted predites based on their subject combinations.

• Tuesday, 6th December, 2016 (9 am – 4 pm) - Biology/Chemistry/Physics (BCP)

• Wednesday, 7th December, 2016 (9 am – 4 pm) - Chemistry/Mathematics/Physics (CMP), Geography/Mathematics/ Physics (GMP) Economics/Government/Mathematics(EGM)

• Government/Lit./Rel. Studies (GLR), Mathematics/Geog./Economics (MGE) & Economics/Govt/Literature in Eng. (EGL)

There will be Parents’ Forum at 12.00 noon each day where all parents are expected to be present.

As parts of the registration packages, admitted students are to present the following for registration on resumption:

i. Original and photocopy of your admission letter

ii. Downloaded copy of medical history and examination form duly signed and stamped compulsorily from a government hospital.

iii. Downloaded copy of CDL Clinic Biodata duly completed

iv. A downloaded copy of oath form duly completed and signed by both parent and student. Postal stamp of N50.00 should be affixed as appropriate on the form. (Make a photocopy for yourself and keep for orientation day.)

v. Originals and photocopies of your credentials (WAEC, NECO, etc.)

vi. 3 Copies of your Hostel allocation Slip vii. Proof of payments (original Copies of your e-payment documents)

viii. Six passport photographs.

Alongside the above, the fresh students are to report to the Centre for Distance Learning Campus, Moro, Ife-North Local Government with the following: -

• A 2x6 mattress, a pillow (For students allocated to hostels outside campus only)

• Cooking utensils.

• 2 pairs of beddings.